Method of analyzing ring-traveler functions



June 18, 1929. P. c. WENTWQRTH 1.717.642

METHOD OF ANALYZING RING TRAVELER FUNCTIONS Filed March 12, 1928 A l ba/eutbr L flullpamutzz/ozill Patented June 18, 1929.

UNITED STATES PHILIP C. WENTWORTH, OF IP13.OVIIDI'INCE, RHODE ISLAND.

METHOD OF ANALYZING RING-TRAVELER FUNCTIONS.

Application filed March 12, 1928.

In the art of ring spinning, in spite of its antiquity, the function of the traveler has been but imperfectly understood. While the general principles were plain and the desiderata obvious, there has been a recognized unknown re'alm in which many efliciency factors lay. My invention conceives of the problem in terms of ring traveler efliclency which I believe lies at the root of the stepping up process which has been so much desired and so long wanted.

I have increased the mechanical efiiciency of the ring traveler as provided for in my prior Patents, Nos. 1,415,069 and 1,461059. I now disclose my present method of malxing that mechanical efliciency completely efiective by establishing a definite basis of per- .formance.

In my present invention which now seems simple, I have provided for that whlch we have lacked and apparently been waiting for .these last 50 years. The point Was that of knowledge-what and why a ring traveler actually did on a frame in production. We improved, theoretically, and attained results practically, but between lay the unknown, pregnant with the truth that now insures ultimate efliciency. As I have conceived it, this truth lay in the exact observation of the lag, or rotative delinquence of speed reluctance of the traveler relative to that somewhat variable speed of the'spindle.

As another important feature of my invention, I contemplate the observed performance of the ring traveler in action under its running lag and in its speed relation to that of the spindle so that I am able not only to determine the relative retardation of the traveler but to observe its performance so that I am able to account for any abnormality. Thus my invention provides not onl for analysis but for basis of correction. ile my invention may be practiced by a variety of types and forms of apparatus, I shall show herein somewhat diagrammatically two general types which illustrate the priciples involved and instruct as to practical means for carrying out the inventive concept. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration in the nature of a vertical sectional view of a spindle ring and traveler in operation.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the traveler on a section of rin Figs. 3 and 4 similar views showing abnormal postures of the traveler.

Serial No. 260,838.

Fig. 5 a diagrammatic plan of ring and traveler, and

Fig. 6 a diagrammatic indication of apparatus for the practice of my invention.

Referring to the drawings I have indicated the ring traveler at T illustrating for this purpose a spinning traveler as such a traveler better illustrates my method of analysis than does the twisting traveler, although my invention applies to both types.

When such a traveler is running on its ring R and being raised and lowered with reference to a bobbin B, there are several possible variants which should be first considered. First, the angle of the thread relative to the axis of the spindle is variant and there is a slight difference in tension between the lowering and risin phases of the rail movement. There is a so a variant in the building up of the thread on the bobbin so that the radius is constantly increasing in the various planes being wound. There is also a certain amount of variation in the speed of the spindles 'due to belt slippage and other mechanical factors, and while this latter constitutes an. avoidable variant theoretically,

it is under present practice a very definite factor that has to be considered in the proper traveler servicing of the frames. I have found that even in well managed mills variations in spindle speed from that desired occur, sometimes as much as 35%, although obviously such a variation is far too great to be excusable. I mention it, however, as being one of the factors which should be considered in connection with my invention to makeof inch spinning the exact science that it should its to the traveler itself, we have in it a deliberately graded factor. For many years ring traveler manufacturers have produced travelers in so large a number of weights as it theoretlcally made only occasional contact and in ideal operation floated with substantial freedom about the ring path. Such an absolute condition doubtless is an ideal that is practically unattainable. In practice it was so apparently unattainable that it became generally ignored except as a remote theory. My present invention looks to the ideal as a condition which if not actually attainable can be so closely approximated as to secure a practical perfection with a vast improvement of product and a very great saving of waste which has heretofore been supposed a more or less necessary incident to production.

I have shown in Fig. 2 a traveler positioned on a ring section showing this ideal condition in which the horns of the traveler are out of contact with the web of the ring so that the traveler is really floating free of the flange. Now if for a presupposed state of reasonable accuracy in the adjustment and operation of the mechanical equipment the traveler is too light or if the other equipment is operating other than as it theoretically should be, we may have a condition where the traveler as indicated at T in Fig. 3 is too light and failing to hold its balance with reference to the thread, is thrown out by centrifugal action until its inner horn contacts the web of the ring or binds on the flange as I have attempted to show in Fig. 3.

The reverse condition I have attempted to illustrate in Fig. 4. Here through a proper correlation of factors the traveler T is too heavy in proportion to its work and drags to such an extent that its outer horn contacts the ring web still further increasing its drag and wearing of the ring.

Around and between such situations come an infinite number of traveler inadequacies and inaptitudes. Their name is legion, but in accordance with my invention they are capable of intelligent analysis and can be corrected in large part by the substitution of a different weight or style of traveler. Of course where any spindle is operating abnormally as at a loss of speed due to belt slippage, the correct-ion is first made in the mechanical operation of the other parts and the traveler then adjusted to the needs of normalcy.

Coming now to my fundamental basis of analysis I call attention-to Fig. 5 in which in a plan treatment considered diagrammatically I have shown within the circle'B a point representing the spindle axis, at R the ring, and at T the traveler. The feathered arrow indicated direction of rotation and the radius line S- may be considered as representin a factor of the spindle speed, while the ra ius line S indicates the traveler speed. The are S--S may therefore be taken as diagrammatically illustrating the factor of delinquence of the traveler or the difference in the rate of speed between the bobbin and the traveler. I

The retardation or drag of the traveler should represent a delinquence from the spindle speed of about 10% so that if the spindle is traveling at 8500 revolutions per minute,

the traveler should have a speed of about 77 50 inbefore mentioned that the attitude of the traveler on the ring affords a basis of analysis of defects and an attainment of perfection.

These results may be attained in various ways and by various appliances but for the purposes of the present application need only be generally described. I have endeavored in Fig. 6 to indicate a characteristic basis of apparatus which may be used in practicing my invention. In Fig. 6 I have indicated the bobbin B, the ring circle R, the speed arrows S and S in general accordance with Fig. 5. I have indicated at 1 a speed indicator diagrammatically indicated as driven by a belt D and in turn belted to an indicator 2 which may be considered to include a rotatable interrupting contact as at 1 so as to close a circuit C including a source of current E by which the light from an electric lamp L may be made to flash intermittently in such timing as to make the traveler at T apparently stand still so that it can be seen on the rail in some attitude as indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, or otherwise as the attitude may be. 'The indicator system 2 is controlled by a brake shoe s so that the observer may retard the period of interruption so as to make the traveler T stand apparently still. This retardation will therefore correspond to the delinquency of the traveler or the difference between its rate of rotation and that of the spindle indicated at I. The observer may therefore read from his indicators 1 and 2 first the spindle speed and second the traveler speed, thus establishing the traveler delinquency or drag and may then see by watching the traveler underthe intermittent illumination of the lamp L and observe its posture on the ring.

Of course it will be understood thatin practice the slight variations due to mechanical variance will make the traveler seem to move slowly in one direction or another; that is, it will seem to retard or go ahead and only occasionally to appear to stand still.

By such observation the suitability of the I traveler or its style or size ma be determined. If the spindle speed is not w at it should be, of course that will be corrected. When a suitable spindle speed has been established, the factors of drag and attitude are determined. If the attitude is incorrect, as in Figs. 3 and 4, even though the drag be correct, a readjustment may be made as it is obvious that a. part of the drag is due to improper friction which is, of course, undesirable and destruc- .tive. By a proper substitution of traveler for Weight and size, the proper drag or delinquency will be found indicated .at 2 and the attitude will be found correct as observed'through the intermittent illumination as at L.

The speed indicators or tachometers may be of any type provided they have the required range which in present mill practice need only be about 10,000 revolutions per minute, Instead of using two tachometers as indicated in Fig. 6 at 1 and 2, a single indicator may be used and so driven either from the s )indle drive or otherwise that the spindle spec may be attained to give the proper vision. By the use of a brake, as suggested in Fig. 6, or other retarding device, the drive can be slowed down until the traveler speed is attained. These two speed readings from the single indicator by comparison gives a Q similar basis of comparison to that obtained by the use of two indicators.

The observation of the traveler maybe effected in any desired way, the two general types of observation apparatus being those of interrupted illumination or intermittent intercept of vision, as where the observerlooks through a slitted disc timed with the speed of the object. In mill practice the intermittent light source is most convenient and therefore preferred. Various kinds of apparatus as above indicated may be used and variously installed. The means and manner of driving the "apparatus and means of timof the traveler by stroboscopic observation which consists in determining stroboscopically the speed of the spindle, reducing the speed of the stroboscope to the speed of the traveler, observing the relation of the traveler to the ring with the stroboscope at the speed obtained, and determining with these observations, the necessary factors to establish the proper relation between the ring and its traveler:

2. In the art of ring spinning and twisting yarn by a spindle, ring, and traveler, the

method of determining the proper functions of the traveler by stroboscopic observation which consists in determining stroboscopically the speed of the spindle and the speed of the traveler, observin the relation of the traveler to the ring wit the stroboscope at the speed obtained, and determining with these observations, the necessary factors to establish the proper relation between the ring and its traveler.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

PHILIP C. WENTWORTH. 

